American Gothic (Hide and Shriek) (1987)

56% of users liked it
(693 ratings)

This eccentric, amusingly sick Canadian production involves a group of annoying yuppies who charter a plane for a camping getaway, only to find themselves making an emergency landing on an isolated, forest-covered island. They are taken in by the only inhabitants, the rabidly-religious "Ma & Pa"… More This eccentric, amusingly sick Canadian production involves a group of annoying yuppies who charter a plane for a camping getaway, only to find themselves making an emergency landing on an isolated, forest-covered island. They are taken in by the only inhabitants, the rabidly-religious "Ma & Pa" (Yvonne De Carlo and Rod Steiger), who seem trapped in a Norman Rockwellian time-warp and are invited to stay the night. This proves to be every bit as unpleasant as it seems -- especially after the hapless campers are introduced to the psychotic, middle-aged "children" (Michael J. Pollard and Janet Wright) -- who appear to be pushing 50. Before long, it's crazed crackers 1, campers 0 and counting, as the warped, scripture-spouting yokels take sharp objects in hand... until one of the campers (Sarah Torgov) reveals her own homicidal potential and goes completely berserk. Despite delightfully weird performances from a top-drawer cast, this campy romp is slightly spoiled by a poorly-scripted climax that suggests a sudden loss of creative inspiration. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: John Hough
Genres: Horror

In Theaters: Feb 1, 1988 Wide

Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Even as exploitation schlock this is pretty bad.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Steiger, Pollard AND De Carlo? Yeah, okay, let's rent something else.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Interesting, but flawed psycho horror/ slasher film that is somewhat tongue in cheek. American Gothic is a different style of slasher film, and though it's not the best, it adds a certain twist to the genre. American Gothic is one of those films that you can't really take… More
Interesting, but flawed psycho horror/ slasher film that is somewhat tongue in cheek. American Gothic is a different style of slasher film, and though it's not the best, it adds a certain twist to the genre. American Gothic is one of those films that you can't really take seriously. Director John Hough directs this unique Slasher and does a pretty good job. The acting is pretty good considering, however it's clear that the film could have been much better. I'm just saying that the film had the potential in being a terrific horror film, but it ends up being an average film that leaves you wanting a bit more. American Gothic is entertaining, and is pretty good, but in the end it leaves a lot to be desired. The problem with the film is that at times it goes overboard on its silliness and it becomes laughable. Still, I enjoyed the film, but I expected something really original with this Slasher film, and somehow I got that, but I just wish that the filmmakers could have delivered slightly better kills and toned down on the tongue in cheek material, only a little bit. Overall American Gothic is a good, different style of Slasher and it works. Though not perfect, the film is entertaining enough to appeal to horror fans. John Hough has made a good film that like I said, not perfect, but good. This is one of those films that is underrated and is worth checking out.
Anthony L

This film has completely destroyed my boyhood crush on Yvonne De Carlo. It's a typical American 80's horror movie, the bit with the baby was quite distasteful but the eerie things is that there probably are people out there like this. I got it from the bargain bin that was… More
This film has completely destroyed my boyhood crush on Yvonne De Carlo. It's a typical American 80's horror movie, the bit with the baby was quite distasteful but the eerie things is that there probably are people out there like this. I got it from the bargain bin that was in an Ironmongers (hardware store), will I ever learn?
Lee ?

Slow-moving slasher about a bunch of young adults who cross paths with a religious, backwoods American family on an isolated island. Enjoyable at times, but it shy's away from any graphic violence cutting the camera away rather annoyingly. Had a good unexpected finale though
Sylvester K

Canadians have done it again!!! With limited budget and actors, they produced an entertaining piece of work.